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FFRP Poll Shows Clear Support for SunRail and DPAC in City of Orlando

May 2nd, 2011

Orlando, FL – Voters in the City of Orlando strongly support SunRail – the commuter line that would run from Sanford to Kissimmee, linking Winter Park, Florida Hospital, Downtown Orlando and Orlando Regional Medical Center – by a huge margin according to the results of a new city-wide poll commissioned by Floridians for Responsible Policy (FFRP). Additionally, a majority of voters in the City of Orlando also support building the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center (DPAC).

The poll, which was conducted April 25 – 28 by Frederick Polls sampled 400 registered voters in the City of Orlando, shows that 76% support SunRail, while only 17% oppose the system and 68% of those polled believe that traffic congestion can’t be solved with more roads and that “commuter rail is needed to help solve the problem.”

Additionally, a majority of voters support building the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center in Downtown Orlando by a margin of 51% who support, 38% oppose and 7% undecided/did not answer. Additional positive factors for DPAC include:

• 74% view the jobs the center will create as “positive”;
• 61% think the construction funding mix of tourist development dollars, CRA funds & private donations is “positive”;
• 65% think the economic development and revenue opportunities the DPAC will create for the City of Orlando is positive;
• 61% view the use of CRA dollars as “positive”;
• The new Orlando Community Construction Corporation (OCCC) is viewed as a positive boost for critical oversight by 58% positive; and
• 56% of voters think it is important to spend the necessary money now and “ensure City of Orlando residents will have a world-class facility that will stand the test of time.”

The poll also asked several issue questions, finding that “jobs and the economy” is the dominant issue to 56% of Orlando voters with no other issue registered as high as 50%, and 42% of residents think the City of Orlando is headed in the “right direction” vs. 27% saying “wrong direction”. According to pollster Keith Frederick, “Orlando voters’ positive views toward their city stand in sharp contrast to current state and national polling showing strong dissatisfaction with government direction at those levels.” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer enjoys a 62% “positive” rating vs. a 30% “negative” rating.

And do you support or oppose the SunRail commuter train system that will run
from Sanford to downtown Orlando with stops in Winter Park, Florida Hospital,
and the Orlando Regional Medical Center?

Support 303 76%
Oppose 68 17%
DK/Refused 29 7%

Do you agree or disagree with this statement: “Traffic congestion in Orlando and
Central Florida can NOT be solved simply by building or widening more roads;
commuter rail is needed to help solve the problem.”

Agree 273 68%
Disagree 100 25%
DK/Refused 27 7%

Do you support or oppose building the new Doctor Phillips Performing Arts Center
in downtown Orlando?

Support 202 51%
Oppose 151 38%
DK/Refused 47 12%

Next I will read you a set of statements about the proposed Doctor Phillips
Performing Arts Center in Downtown Orlando. Tell me if you find each to be a
very positive, somewhat positive, neutral, or negative factor of the project. Here’s
the first one.

Construction of the Performing Arts Center will be paid for using an equal mix of
private donations, money from a tourist tax on hotel rooms, and dedicated economic
development revenue paid by downtown businesses.

A new independent citizens oversight committee of business experts has been set
up to review construction costs for the new Performing Arts Center project and
make recommendations on moving the project forward.

The new Performing Arts Center will likely be used for a long time, so it is better
to spend more money now and ensure City of Orlando residents will have a world
class facility that will stand the test of time.